Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs January Genealogical Events (and Most are Free!)

Happy 2015!

Every month, the first week of the month, I list genealogical events being held in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for about the next six weeks.  Most events are free, but sometimes you will need to register in advance, especially sponsored by a public library.  If it is sponsored by a genealogy society, you probably will not need to register unless there is a fee (which is designated by the $).  Check the website listed for more information.

If you’d like individual help, the following public libraries’ websites state that you may make an appointment with a librarian or genealogy volunteer: Schaumburg, Palatine, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect. On the first Thursday of the month from 3-4:30 PM, the Indian Trails Library, Wheeling has a genealogy question and answer session with the librarian.  The Bloomingdale Public Library has a similar group on the fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 PM.  See the library websites for more information and the Palatine Public Library holds a group on the second Thursday of the month at various times.  Check the websites for more details.

If you know of any events that I have missed, please email me. I hope you see an event you’d like to attend.

January 3,10:00 AM

Preparing to Publish Your Family Book by Regina Yuill
Arlington Heights Senior Center
http://www.nwscg.com/

January 10,1:00 PM

Who Will Look At Your Genealogical Collection? by Laura Cosgrove Lorenzana
Northbrook Historical Society
http://nsgsil.org

January 12, 6:30 PM

Finding Your Roots Online – Computer Class
Palatine Public Library, Palatine
http://www.palatinelibrary.org/events

January 13, 7:30 PM

Archivists Notebook; Gleaning Genealogical Evidence from Ephemera by Laura Cosgrove Lorenzana
Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg
http://genealogywithtony.wordpress.com/2013-programs/

January 14

Swedish Genealogy – 90 minutes of 1 on 1 help by appointment
Held at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library
http://www.ahml.info/genealogy_appointments

January 17, 10:00 AM

The Day the Lived in Infamy:  WWII Military Records by Jennifer Holik
Arlington Heights Senior Citizen Center (location change)
http://caggni.shuttlepod.org/

January 21

Italian Genealogy by Karen Bogdan
www.dcgs.org

February 3, (7 weeks) 7:00 PM

Genealogy – Beginning Continuing Education District 211 ($)
Fremd High School, Palatine
http://adc.d211.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Spring-2015-Color-catalog.pdf

February 7, 10:00 AM

Evernote for Genealogy a Live Webinar by Thomas McEntee
Arlington Heights Senior Center
http://www.nwscg.com/

Genea Gifts- Ideas for Your Christmas List

Thanksgiving.  My mother still cooks dinner for the entire family and it’s delicious.   We have two traditions in our family.  Everyone goes around the table and says what they are thankful for that year.  The other is that before you can sit down to eat, you must present your Christmas list in triplicate to the other family members.  If you didn’t bring one (well really three), you sit at her computer and write one before you eat!  I’ve worked on my list, cuz I don’t want to miss turkey dinner.

Thinking along the lines of Christmas gifts, I thought of the many genea-gifts I’ve received and enjoyed.  Maybe something will spark an idea for you to put on your list this year.  Here’s a list of my favorite gifts in no particular order:

Flip-pal scanner. If you have thought about getting a scanner, this is the one I use.  When I’m visiting relatives, I can take it out and use it without disturbing the conversation.  Similar to knitting, but genealogy knitting. 

Do you already have a flip pal? Maybe some of the Flip-pal accessories would be nice. I like the Carry case, the sketch kit, an SDHC card and don’t forget extra AA batteries. Or maybe a rechargeable battery kit. Link: http://flip-pal.com/product-category/accessories-2/

 The I Want 1890 Back mug. I get questions about it all the time and it leads people into conversations about family history. Link: http://www.cafepress.com/mf/20256722/1890-census_mugsutm_medium=cpc&utm_term=143242153&utm_source=msn&utm_campaign=sem-cpc-product-ads&utm_content=search-pla&productId=143242153

Over the years, I’ve gotten the newest version of my data program.  In my case it is Family Tree Maker.  But there are others.

My husband and son surprised me with business cards.  Love them!  They designed and ordered them from Vistaprint but there are other places.

 

Brightly color flash drives.  I volunteer at a library.  Do you know how many plain black flash drives we find?  This way, I can locate mine easily if lost.  No one else seems to have a pink polka dot flash drive, which were bought at Target.

Wireless mouse for my laptop.

I like three magazines Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy and Family Tree magazine.  When I don’t have a subscription gift, I read them at the library.

 

Charm – isn’t it adorable.  This one is no longer available, but I saw this one which is similar pictured below at etsy.com  Link:https://www.etsy.com/shop/12StarsJewelry?ref=related-shop-9&ga_search_query=genealogy+charm&ga_ref=shop_search&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

Norman Rockwell “Family Tree” poster Originally published in 1959, I have had this poster for close to 20 years and I still see it is popular.  Mine hangs in my office. You can buy it framed or unframed.  Link: http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Family-Tree-October-24-1959-Posters_i7553180_.htm

 Martha Stewart’s popular tree poster.  I’ve had several updates to my first one.  You might want to include an erasable pen too. Sadly Martha Stewart no longer sells these charts, but someone made a template that you can use for free.  It is meant for a 20 x 28 inch frame.  Take your tree to a printer to be made into a poster. Link: http://www.csh.rit.edu/~thfemale/family_tree.jpg  Check around, there are many other charts you can make to fit your style.  Here's Martha's:

Brother PT label maker – can’t live without it. I label files, file cabinets, bins, and even flash drives.  For those that already have a label maker, you can never have enough label tape.

Books  For general reference, I like anything by Emily Anne Croom or W. Daniel Quillen, but there are many others.  That’s an entirely different list.

T-shirts.  There are several places, but Fun Stuff for Genealogist, Inc has lots to choose from. http://www.funstuffforgenealogists.com/store/contents/en-us/d1.html

Every year my husband buys me random office supplies.  My children laugh at these, but I like his surprise choices. These include copier paper, printer ink, file folders and a couple of other things such as index labels, label holders, three ring archival sheet protectors, sticky notes, including those that help in citing sources.

I receive no compensation for any of the items listed here.  These are my own preferences. I hope you find something on my list that you will like.  If you have a favorite gift, please let me know!

Happy holidays!